Seorae Village

Seorae Village, sometimes nicknamed "Montmartre" due to its hilltop location, is a small French enclave in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea.^[1][2] It is home to about 560 French people, roughly 40% of the French community in South Korea. Most of them are employees of French corporations doing business in the country.^[1] The majority (370) of the French population is actually children.^[2]

The village began to form there in 1985, with the movement of Lycée Français de Séoul to the area.^[1] The school, the city's only French international school, had formerly been located just north of the Han River in Hannam-dong, a large international neighborhood. French people with children followed, as did bakeries and wine shops.

The village is the site of a 20,000 m² park, "Montmartre Park",^[2] which is often the site of public events for foreigners. It is near Express Bus Terminal Station on Seoul Subway Line 3.

The area has a large concentration of European-style restaurants and dessert cafes, as well as wineries and cafes stand along its main street.^[3]

History

Seorae Village scene

Seorae Village is a district of Seoul, on Banpo 4-dong, Seocho-gu. It begins at Seorae-ro by Sapyeong-ro, which is located on the southern end of Banpo-daegyo bridge.^[4] The name of French Village comes from the fact that about two hundred French people live there. There is not much difference between this village and a common Korean villages because it does not have exotic French style buildings or signboards.^[5]

The 300 meter street from Seorae-ro to Bangbae middle school at the end of the hill is paved with three colors blocks (red, white, and blue) to symbolize the national flag of France.^[6] Visitors can see signs where French is written with Korean script, such as Attention Ecole (Attention School), Hopital ste-Marie (St. Mary's Hospital) and the signboards of "Le Seine" or "Le Ciel" with the street name of "Montmartre." ^[7]

The village began to form here in 1985 with the moving of L'Ecole Francaise de Seoul formerly located in Hannam-dong to the area.^[8] Next, French people started to gather around the school.

Since the 1990s, as more French corporations including Carrefour, TGV, and Renault have advanced into Korea, Seorae Village became animated gradually, and developed as a tourist attraction for French people in Korea.^[9] The Seocho-gu government announced that they will create access to Seorae Village as a specialized street where French style culture coexists with businesses.^[10] Therefore, the French Village is expected to be reborn as the cultural landmark of Seocho-gu.^[11]

Landmarks

French School of Seoul

There are many attractions to look around in Seorae Village. The French School of Seoul is located in the heart of Seoul’s French community in Banpo 4-dong.^[12] It is Seoul’s only government-established French-language school. Accredited by the French Ministry of Education and regulated by the National Agency for French Education Abroad.^[13] Enrolls about 390 students. From elementary school, students must be competent in French. Has a kindergarten, elementary school and junior and high school.^[14]

National Library of Korea is where numerous materials are collected and preserved.^[15] It currently holds approximately 4.3 million books and theses, of which roughly two-hundred thousand are collected annually.^[16] Art exhibitions are occasionally held in the exhibition room on the first floor. Surrounded by Seocho Park, the scenery outside is beautiful and the atmosphere is very relaxing.^[17]

Montmartre Park

Banpo Hangang River Park is among the most popular Hangang park.^[18] Located between the Banpo and Hannam bridges on the river’s south bank, the park was recently redone, with much of the natural vegetation removed in favor of expansive lawns, walking and bicycle trails, and a large play area for children.^[19] An inline skating rink and outdoor stages were also incorporated into the new design.^[20] This being a riverside park, jet skis vy with water taxis and river cruise boats for primacy on the water. ^[21]

Also, for eating. At Paris Croissant, breads and croissants are made fresh daily by a French patissier who uses wheat imported from Paris.^[22] Paris Croissant is a chain of bakeries found all across Seoul and internationally.^[23] Brooklyn The Burger Joint, near the Seorae Village, has one of the best fresh burgers in all of Seoul.^[24] Brooklyn The Burger Joint uses only 100% certified beef that is grounded fresh daily.^[25]

Culture

Festival in Seorae Village

Every year, several festivals are held in the Seorae Village including the “Costume parade” and “Montmartre music festival.”^[26]

In the year of the spring, students of the French School of Seoul march in a costume parade.^[27] It is held by the School to represent the French traditional culture.^[28] The carnival is an archaic tradition connected to the agricultural and seasonal cycle of every year. It has the significance of purification as well.^[29]

Banpo Seorae Korea/France Music Festival is held on every summer.^[30] This festival started for the purpose of having an opportunity to understand each other’s culture and harmonize together. About 2,000 people participated in the event every year, including local residents and artists, who love music.^[31] As such, Seorae Village has become a part of Seoul, Korea.

Directions to Seorae Maeul (Seorae Village)

Take Subway Line 3, Line 7, or Line 9 to Express Bus Terminal Station (Exit 5). After exiting, cross the main road and turn right. Pass the Palace Hotel and continue walking for another few minutes. Turn left just before the elevated bridge crossing the road to reach Seorae Village.

Education

• French School of Seoul

Dulwich College Seoul, a British international school, is about five minutes away by car.^[32]

See also

• Véronique Courjault
• Petite France (Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do)
• Seoul Seocho-Gu Office

References

External links

• Seorae global Village Center
• Institut Francais
• Ambassade de France à Séoul

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seorae Village.

Districts of Seoul
North of Han River	Dobong Dongdaemun Eunpyeong Gangbuk Gwangjin Jongno Jung Jungnang Mapo Nowon Seodaemun Seongbuk Seongdong Yongsan
South of Han River	Dongjak Gangdong Gangnam Gangseo Geumcheon Guro Gwanak Songpa Seocho Yangcheon Yeongdeungpo